Apparatus for erecting a brick building



March 29, 1966 D. L. BOEGLEN 3,242,549

APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A BRICK BUILDING Filed Oct. 25, 196-3 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1.

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7 INVENTOR DURWOOD L. BOEG LEN ATTORNEYS March 29, 1966 D. L. BOEGLEN 3,242,549

APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A BRICK BUILDING Filed Oct. 25, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ls l? 22 20 22 14 MW 12 :2 5 w W 8 Wllll 11w Mr i [L 5 *1 1 fi K 27 28 27 FIG. 3.

FIG. 6.

INVENTOR DURWOOD L. BOEGLEN FIG? By/gznhhyqgawujp ATTORNEYS March 29, 1966 D. L. BOEGLEN APPARATUS FOR ERECI'ING A BRICK BUILDING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001;. 25, 196-3 INVENTOR DURWOOD L. BOEGLEN BY flaw? qr M (j, ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ollice Patented Mar. 29, 1966 3,242,549 APPARATUS FOR ERECTING A BRIQK BUILDENG Durwood L. Boegien, 4807 Enfield Road, Locust Hills, Bethesda, Md. Filed Oct. 23, 1%3, Ser. No. 318,420 3 Claims. (Q1. 25131) This invention relates to apparatus for erecting a brick building structure, and is a continuation-in-part of application, Serial Number 460,343, filed October 5, 1954, now abandoned.

The use of bricks in the construction of buildings is greatiy curtailed because of the high cost involved in the erection of the walls. Bricks are a very desirable commodity for building houses and for the most part, are preferred to any other building material. However, since skilled labor is required to build a brick structure, the cost thereof is very often prohibitive. For many years, attempts have been made to overcome this problem, as illustrated by US. Patent Number 860,927 dated July 23, 1967, and US. Patent Number 1,444,588 dated February 6, 1923. As far as can be determined, neither of these systems have ever been widely adopted.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for rapidly and accurately erecting the brick walls of a structure by use of unskilled labor.

Another object is to provide a form or template for temporarily supporting bricks for incorporation in a wall in predetermined spaced relation preparatory to the injection of mortar into the joints, under pressure, between adjacent bricks.

Other objects are to provide a template including pockets of predetermined size depth and arrangement, each of which is adapted to receive and support the forward portion of a brick, the template having movable clamping means engageable with the forward portion of the brick for retaining the latter within the pocket; to provide a template of the character described in which the movable means is a bolt threaded into angular engagement with the upper face of the brick; to provide a template of the character described wherein the elements thereof fonnin' the pockets enter the joints between the adjacent vertical and horizontal rows of bricks, to positively limit the forward movement of mortar towards the front of the wall and form a finished mortar joint simultaneously with the erection of the wall, the mortar joint being recessed from the front face of the wall to obviate marring the exposed face of the brick; to provide support means for said template including apparatus for moving the templates selectively in a vertical or horizontal plane to facilitate positioning and removal of the template, and to provide a method and apparatus of the character described in which a plurality of templates may be interconnected in uniplanar and angular relationship to form the walls of a building structure.

Still other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following description of the preferred form of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention, illustrating its application;

FIG, 2 is a top plan view illustrating the manner of forming the walls of a building structure with the apparatus of the present invention, portions thereof being shown fragmentarily;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the same;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken through the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the manner in which brick are supported by the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lines 66 of FIG. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 77 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; and illustrating to advantage, details of construction of a retaining assembly forming a part of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the application of mortar to the joints between spaced brick; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, showing the finished wall with the apparatus of the present invention removed.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, the apparatus of the present invention includes a brick wall form, preferably of steel construction embodying a template 10 movably supported and adjusted by members 11.

Template 10 includes a plurality of horizontal bricksupporting angular members 12 held in vertically spaced and aligned position by vertical angle members 13 to which they are secured by Welding or other suitable means. Adjacent tiers of members 12 are connected at predetermined intervals by vertical members 14. It will be noted from the drawings that the distances between adjacent horizontal members 12 and adjacent vertical members 14 forms a rectangular-shaped pocket adapted to receive a brick 15.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, each horizontal brick-supporting member 12 includes a forward vertical portion 16 against which the lower front face of brick 15 abuts, to automatically position the brick comprising the wall in uniplanar relationship, Member 12 also includes a horizontal shelf or brick support 17 extending rearwardly from the lower terminal of vertical portion 16 for a short distance, preferably between one-half inch and an inch. A second vertical portion 18 extends downwardly from the aft end of shelf 17 to a point proximate the subjacent brick. Portion 18, therefore, spans the horizontal joint between each row of spaced bricks and limits the forward movement of the mortar towards the front of the wall to form a recessed, finished mortar joint.

Each vertical member 14 is basically of substantially channel or U-shape in cross section, including an intermediate part 20, the upper part of which lies flush with the outer face of vertical portion 18 of member 114 (see FIG. 5). Legs 21 of channel-shaped member 14 extend forwardly, with respect to the wall, to a point uniplanar with vertical portion 16 of member 12, at which point they are bent outwardly at angles to form brickretaining flanges 22.

A salient feature of the present invention is the provision of brick retaining assemblies 23 carried by template 16 and adapted to hold the bricks in the pockets formed by horizontal members 12 and vertical members 14. Each brick-retaining assembly 23 includes an angularly disposed nut or the like 24 welded or secured in any other suitable fashion, to the lower edge of vertical portion 16 of horizontal member 12. A bolt 25 having an adjusting head 26 is threaded through angular nut 24 and impinges against the upper face of brick 15 at approximately a 45 angle intermediate the bricks length. Bolt 25, in conjunction with shelf 17 of horizontal member 12 clamps the brick in position during the mortar applying and drying cycles.

As shown in FIG. 5, each form-supporting and adjusting member 11 includes a base 27 on which is fixedly mounted an outer tubular member 28. Contiguous with the inner periphery of tubular member 28 is an inner tubular member 29 adapted to be moved longitudinally with respect thereto. Outer tubular member 28 is provided with a closure 30 at its upper end having an opening through which a shaft 31 is threaded. An adjustment wheel 32 is fixed to the upper end of shaft 31 for facility in relocating the shaft with respect to outer tubular members 28. The lower terminal of shaft 31 is suitably journaled by means of a bearing 33 in a closure 34 at the upper terminal of inner tubular member 29. Rotation of wheel 32 accordingly efifects vertical movement of inner tubular member 29 with respect to outer tubular member 28.

Upper and lower bearing blocks 35 are fixedly secured in any suitable manner within inner tubular member 29. Each bearing block is provided with a diametric threaded bore which is extended through openings in tubular members 28 and 29. The opening of tubular member 28 is enlarged as indicated at 36. An elongated shaft 37 is threaded through each bearing block, to one terminal of which is fixed an operating wheel 38. The opposite terminal of each shaft is journaled by suitable means 39 in a bearing 40 which is welded or secured in any other suitable fashion to the front face of template 12. Formsupporting and adjusting member 11 is maintained in a stationary vertical position by an angular brace 41 attached at 42 to a ground stake 43. By means of form supporting and adjusting member 11, template may be accurately placed in position for use.

With the apparatus of the present invention, the walls of a structure may be rapidly erected by unskilled labor in a two-step operation. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, in erecting the walls of a structure, forms 10 are positioned circumjacent a concrete slab 44 with base 27 of member 11 on the ground 45 adjacent thereto. Adjustment wheels 38 are rotated to effect horizontal adjust ment of form 10 and adjustment wheel 32 is rotated to adjust the form vertically. Stake 43 is then driven into the ground to position angular brace 41. Bricks are next placed in the pockets formed by horizontal members 12 and vertical members 14, until they abut vertical portions 16 of the horizontal members, and flanges 22 of vertical members 14. Clamping bolt 25 of each retaining assembly is actuated as each brick is slipped into place for angular impingement against the forward upper face of the brick to positively prevent slippage of the brick once it is positioned.

Door and window openings may be formed by placement of a window frame 46 and a door frame 47 at the desired location at the rear side of the form, as shown in FIG. 1, with the brick in the form surrounding the frame serving as supports therefor. After all the brick and door and window frames are in position, mortar is preferably sprayed, under pressure from a gun, into the vertical and horizontal joints between the brick, until it extends forwardly to intermediate part of vertical members 14 and aft vertical portion 18 of horizontal members 12, as shown to advantage in FIG. 8. The mortar is then allowed to dry, after which the adjust ment wheels 38 are simultaneously operated to move the form horizontally in a vertical plane away from the wall. As shown in FIG. 9, the wall has a recessed, finished mortar joint, requiring no further treatment. The recession of the horizontal and vertical members forming the mortar joints additionally prevent the mortar from contacting and marring the exposed face of the brick.

It is to be understood that the apparatus of the present invention may be varied in size for different uses and the number of retaining assemblies may be changed accordingly. Various other changes may be made within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for erecting brick walls, including a form comprising a plurality of horizontal brick-supporting members in vertically spaced relationship, each of said horizontal members comprising a forward vertical portion against which the lower front face of a brick abuts, a horizontal brick-supporting shelf extending rearwardly from the lower terminal of said forward vertical portion, a second vertical portion extending downwardly from the aft end of said shelf to a point proximate subjacent bricks, to span the horizontal joint between each row of spaced bricks, said second vertical portion limiting the forward movement of mortar towards the front of the wall, to form a recessed, finished mortar joint, vertical members in predetermined spaced relation between adjacent horizontal members thereby forming rectangular pockets into which the forward portion of the brick are inserted, each'of said vertical members being of substantially U-shape in cross-section and including an intermediate part, the upper limit of said intermediate part lying flush with the outer face of the second vertical portion, the U-shaped vertical members further including legs extending forwardly to a point uniplanar with the forward vertical portion of said horizontal members, said legs being bent outwardly at their forward limit to provide brick-retaining flanges, and means on the form engageable with the forward end of the brick for holding the brick in spaced relationship during the application and drying of mortar injected into the joints between the brick.

2. The apparatus of claim ll, wherein said means includes a plurality of brick-retaining assemblies, each assembly comprising an angularly disposed nut-like member secured to the lower edge of the forward vertical portion of said horizontal member between adjacent vertical members, and a bolt threaded through said nut-like member for impingement against the upper face of a brick.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, with the addition of a form-supporting and adjusting member, said member including a base, an outer tubular member mounted on said base, a closure at the upper end of said tubular member, said closure being provided with an opening, a shaft threaded through the closure opening, a wheel member fixed to the upper end of said shaft, a bearing within said outer tubular member, the lower end of said shaft being journaled in said bearing, an inner tubular member contiguous with the inner periphery of said outer tubular member, a closure fixed to the top of said inner tubular member, said bearing being connected to said closure, thereby permitting longitudinal movement of said inner tubular member with respect to said outer tubular member, spaced bearing blocks fixedly secured within said inner tubular member, an elongated shaft extending through each bearing block and threadedly engaged therewith, an operating member connected to one end of said shaft, a bearing fixed to said form, the free terminal of said elongated shaft being journaled in said bearing to effect lateral movement of the form upon actuation of said operating member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 860,927 7/1907 Mann.

969,212 9/1910 Sobel et al. 25-131 1,444,588 2/ 1923 Copeland 24983 2,174,394 9/1939 Stockman.

2,288,495 6/1942 Stone. 3,058,190 10/1962 Wogulis 251 3,070,866 1/ 1963 Kastenbein 25-1 FOREIGN PATENTS 216,270 8/ 1956 Australia. 700,428 12/1953 Great Britain.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, WILLIAM J.

STEPHENSON, Examiners.

G. A. KAP, Assistant Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR ERECTING BRICK WALLS, INCLUDING A FORM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTAL BRICK-SUPPORTING MEMBERS IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATIONSHIP, EACH OF SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS COMPRISING A FORWARD VERTICAL PORTION AGAINST WHICH THE LOWER FRONT FACE OF A BRICK ABUTS, A HORIZONTAL BRICK-SUPPORTING SHELF EXTENDING REARWARDLY FROM THE LOWER TERMINAL OF SAID FORWARD VERTICAL PORTION, A SECOND VERTICAL PORTION EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE AFT END OF SID SHELF TO A POINT PROXIMATE SUBJACENT BRICKS, TO SPAN THE HORIZONTAL JOINT BETWEEN EACH ROW OF SPACED BRICKS, SAID SECOND VERTICAL PORTION LIMITING THE FORWARD MOVEMENT OF MORTAR TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE WALL, TO FORM A RECESSED, FINISHED MORTAR JOINT, VERTICAL MEMBERS IN PREDETERMINED SPACED RELATION BETWEEN ADJACENT HORIZONTAL MEMBERS THEREBY FORMING RECTANGULAR POCKETS INTO WHICH THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE BRICK ARE INSERTED, EACH OF SAID VERTICAL MEMBERS BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPE IN CROSS-SECTION AND INCLUDING AN INTERMEDIATE PART, THE UPPER LIMIT OF SAID INTERMEDIATE PART LYING FLUSH WITH THE OUTER FACE OF THE SECOND VERTICAL PORTION, THE U-SHAPED VERTICAL MEMBERS FURTHER INCLUDING LEGS EXTENDING FORWARDLY TO A POINT UNIPLANAR WITH THE FORWARD VERTICAL PORTION OF SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS, SAID LEGS BEING BENT OUTWARDLY AT THEIR FORWARD LIMIT TO PROVIDE BRICK-RETAINING FLANGES, AND MEANS ON THE FORM ENGAGEABLE WITH THE FORWARD END OF THE BRICK FOR HOLDING THE BRICK IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP DURING THE APPLICATION AND DRYING OF MOOTOR INJECTED INTO THE JOINTS BETWEEN THE BRICK. 